Machine tool transmission and control mechanism



P 29, 1953 J. B.ARMITAGE ET AL- 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL I 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2' INVENTORS ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 3,5

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed D80. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 ORNEY Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 -12 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG 8 WZOQIW Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 x 230 232 l q 410 U 25/ Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec.

71500 0113 .7 Zi'erkQ/IL INVENTORS BY y ATTORNEY P 29, 1953 I J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheefcs-Sheet 9 ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL 2,653,519

MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filec i Dec. 21, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet l0 ATTORNEY Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL MACHINE TOOL. TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Dec.

mm mwNh Sept. 29, 1953 J. B. ARMITAGE ET AL TORS l2 Sheets-Sheet l2 INVEN fire MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Dec.

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Patented Sept. 29, 1953 MACHINE TOOL TRANSMISSION AND CONTROL MECHANISM Joseph B. Armitage and Theodore F. Eserkaln, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignors to Kearney & Trecker Corporation, West Allis, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 21, 1946, Serial No. 717,712

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates, generally, to machine tools and more particularly to machine tool transmission and control mechanism.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved machine tool transmission mechanism, together with an improved control mechanism to provide selective operation thereof;

Another object of the invention is to provide separate motor drives for various machine tool elements with co-ordinated cyclic control of the motors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved multiple motor driven transmission having an automatic cyclic control system with an overload safety device in the transmission operative to interrupt the cyclic control upon the occurrence of an overload.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved milling machine knee assembly having separate motors for providing a movable table with feed and rapid traverse drives.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic cyclic control system for a machine tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electrical control system for a milling machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved overload means wherein a worm is disposed to move axially upon the occurrence of an overload to actuate a safety mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact electrical control unit hermetically sealed to prevent foreign substances such as chips, coolant and the like from settling on the contacts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine tool drive mechanism incorporating differential gearing selectively driven from a plurality of motors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drum type switch manually or automatically operable in a control circuit to efiect predetermined speed and directional control of a machine tool element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch control mechanism operable in the control circuit for a machine tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dog-actuated tripping mechanism for actuating a control system to eifect a predetermined operating cycle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electrical control circuit for a machine tool including a plurality of solenoid actuated shifting mechanisms.

According to this invention, an improved milling machine is provided having an automatic electrical control system. The movable elements of the machine are selectively driven by a differential mechanism at a plurality of feed rates or at a rapid traverse rate. Separate motors are connected to the difierential, one for the feed drive and one for the rapid traverse drive. A variation in the feed rate is efiected mechanically through a pick-ofi gear transmission. A predetermined operating cycle for the two power drives may be selected by positioning a series of trip dogs relative to dog actuated control plungers operably mounted in a control box. The plungers are disposed to actuate micro-switches hermetically sealed in the box. A single control lever operably carried in the control box affords manually controlled dir-ectional and feed-rapid traverse drive operation. An overload mechanism operative with a machine element driving worm serves to effect axial movement of the mechanism upon the occurrence of an overload to actuate micro-switches electrically connected to interrupt the power drive. All of the microswitches are connected in a control circuit with other electrical mechanisms to afford selective manual or automatic control of the motors driving the machine element. Several modifications of the control circuit are provided wherein a multiple position manually or automatically operable drum switch is used to energize the motors. The switch, likewise, is automatically set by a plurality of trip dogs predeterminately positioned on the movable element of the machine.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, may be achieved by the apparatus herein described by way of example in connection with the illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a machine tool incorporating the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 showing the feed and rapid traverse drives to the table screw;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the trip dogs positioned in the T slots of the table;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the driving motors, transmission and table drive mechanism taken on the plane of lines 5-5 in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view in vertical section of the rapid traverse drive worm and differential taken substantially along the plane of the line 6--6 in Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the table drive worm resiliently mounted for axial movement and the automatic overload signal mechanism taken substantially along the plane of the horizontal line l'l in Fig.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the automatically and manually operated control element shown mounted on the movable saddle in Figs. 1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 9 is another view of the control element taken substantially on the plane of the line 9'-'9 in Fig. 8; d he Fig. 10 is a vertical view through the control element showing the mounting of the control handle and operating mechanism taken on the plane of the line Hll0 in Fig. 8; e V V Fig. 11 is a detailed vertical view taken on the plane of lines H-H in Figs. 8 and 10 showing the actuating'means for the five micro switches; v e d Fig. 12 is a detailed horizontal view of the switch actuating means taken on the plane of lines !2i2 in Figs. 9, 10 and 11; l

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a trip dog actuated control rod horizontally disposed in the control box as shown by the plane of lines i3i3 in Figs. 8, 9 and "12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section on the plane of line 14-44 in Fig. 12 showing another of the horizontal switch control rods; I

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatical showing of the electrical control circuit used to effect selective manual and automatic control of the drive motors; v V Y e Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a modified Version of a machine tool drive system incorporating two feed drive motors; e

Fig. 1'? is a horizontal View parn in section through the saddle, showing the table screw drive mechanism .and the control mechanism for operating the clutch and driving motors; 1

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary elevational view ofthe rear of the table and saddleshowing the detent mounting constituting part of the control mechanism operably mounted in the saddle of the machine; v V

Fig, 19 is a diagrammatic showing .of the electrical connections from the motors to the control drum switch; i i

Fig. 20 is an enlarged view of the control drum switch shown in Fig. 16 with the various positions of the switch indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 21 is an elevational view of a bed type milling machine incorporating the principles of the invention; 7 V I H d e Fig. 22 is a vertical fragmentary sectionalview of the front of the machine shown in Fig. 21 showing the automatic switch actuatin mecha+ nism;

Fig. 23 is a vertical sectional view takenon the plane of the line 2323 in Fig. 22 showing the mounting of the drum type control switch in relation to the trip mechanism; and,

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of the mechanical drive trains and the electrical control circuit for the machine shown in Figs. 21, 2 2 and 23 and constituting a modified version of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the invention is shown incorporated in a knee type milling machine. A horizontal spindle 30 is rotatably journalled in an upright column member 3 Fonmovement on the top of the knee 32 while a table 35 is slidably mounted on the saddle 3 for longitudinal horizontal movement, whereby workpieces mounted on the table may be prejdetei'minat'ely positioned relative to the cutter retaining spindle 38 in three mutually transverse planes. The table 35 is driven by means of a screw shaft 38 rotatably journalled in end brackets '31 and 38 attached to the ends of the table, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the conventional knee type milling machine, the table 35, saddle 34 and knee 32 are provided with driving mechanisms to effect selective power movement of the elements in the aforementioned transverse planes. The source of power for these drives generally consists of a motor located in the column of the machine. In addition, the spindle 39 is driven by this same motor through a speed transmission to provide a large speed range. This arrangement necessitates the use of much additional driving mechanism.

According to the invention disclosed herein,

the interconnecting driving mechanism between the column 3! and the knee 32 is eliminated and separate driving motors are provided to drive the table 35 at feed or rapid traverse rates and to drive the spindle drive mechanism, together with electric control mechanism designed to permit the automatic power operation, selective power operation or manual operation of the table 35 as may be required for a given milling setup. I v

To this end, the saddle 34 is provided with a yoke which completely surrounds the machine knee 32, as shown in Fig. l. A rapid traverse motor 40 and a feed drive motor ii are bolted on the right side of the saddle 3 3 in a manner to move with the saddle toward or from the face of the column 3|. Both of the motors, together with the spindle motor (not shown) contained within the column 3!, are controlled from an electric control unit 42, mounted on the front of the saddle. The control element is manually operable by means of a control handle 33, or automatically operable from a plurality of trip dogs carried in T-slots ll}, on the front of the table 35. A power drive is not provided for the knee 32 or the saddle 34. Rather a manually actuatcd drive mechanism is provided for positioning each of these elements; the saddle 34 may be manually adjusted by applying a crank (not shown) to the squared .end of a screw shaft 45 and rotating it in a manner to move the saddle toward or from the face of the column 3|. Likewise, the knee may be selectively adjusted vertically on the way surfaces 33 of the column 3! byrotating a crank handle (not shown) positioned on the end of an actuating shaft 36.

As shown in Fig. 3, a power feed mechanism 5%! is disposed within the saddle 34 and serves to provide a power feed drive for the table 35 at any one of a plurality of feed rates. A feed motor armature shaft 51 extends through the side wall of the saddle 3 1 and is keyed to drive a worm 52 journalled therein. The worm meshes with and drives a worm wheel 53 which is intermediately keyed on a pick-Ofi gear drive shaft 54 journalled within the saddle, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Gear teeth integrally formed on the end of the shaft 54 mesh with teeth on a pick-off gear 55 splined to an intermediate shaft 56. A second gear 51 is likewise splined on the end of the shaft 56 and is disposed to mesh with a gear 58 slidably splined to the end of a feed driving shaft 59. The shafts 55 and 58 are parallelly disposed with one end of each extending into a gear compartment 62 disposed in the right front side of the saddle 34. When an uprightly hinged door 63 on the front of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is opened, the pick-off gears may be removed readily from the ends of the shafts 56 and 59, and interchanged for other gears to provide a plurality of combinations, whereby the shaft 58 may be driven at any one of a plurality of predetermined speeds.

Power for the rapid traverse drive is derived from the motor id mounted on the right side of the saddle 34, and is transmitted therefrom to a worm 54 rotatably journalled within the saddle. The worm $4 meshes with and drives a worm wheel 65, rotatably carried on the feed drive shaft 59, and is retained thereon against axial movement by means of a collar 65 integrally machined on the middle of the shaft. A bevel gear 67, unitarily formed with the worm wheel 55, is disposed to mesh with a spider gear 68 (see Figs. 3 and 6) rotatably journalled on a differential carrier 69 keyed to the feed driving shaft 59. A second bevel gear i i is likewise disposed on the shaft 59 in a manner to engage the teeth of the spider gear '33 and is integrally formed with a spur gear H, which meshes with and drives a gear l2 splined on the end of shaft "53. The shaft '13 is journalled in bearings 5'5 and it in the saddle 34 and drives a worm Ti retained thereon on a centrally splined portion '18. The worm Tl meshes with and drives a worm wheel '59, as shown in Fig. 5, rotatably journalled in the saddle structure in a pair of thrust bearings 85 and 5!. The worm wheel 79 and the associated mounting assembly constitute a driving nut threadably mounted on the table screw shaft 33 in a manner, when rotated, to effect longitudinal movement of the table at a selected feed or rapid traverse rate.

With the arrangement aforedescribed, the table 35 may be driven at a selected feed rate whenever the reed motor 3! is energized. The direction of table travel is dependent upon the direction of rotation of the feed motor 45 and is controlled automatically or manually through the electric control unit When the motor ll is thus energized, the feed driving shaft 59 will be driven at a rate dependent upon the gear ratio up by the operator by adjusting the pick-off gears in a manner well known to the machine tool art. When the shaft 59 is rotated in either direction, the diiferential carrier 69 keyed thereto will be rotatably driven and will, consequently, drive the shaft 13 through gearing i9, 'H and The shaft '53 will, in turn, drive the worm Ti and worm wheel l9 and effect longitudinal movement of the table 35 at a predetermined feed rate. Table movement will be halted when the feed motor ll is vie-energised.

W hen the rapid traverse motor id is energized, the worm wheel 35 and gear 62' integrally formed therewith will be driven at a constant speed dependent upon the fixed speed of the motor 4e. Rotation of the gear 3? will drive the spider gear 538 and gear "iii at a corresponding speed and, via shaft 73, will drive the worm ll and the worm wheel 2'9 by the worm T1.

worm wheel 19 at rapid traverse rate. Consequently, movement of the table 35 will occur at rapid traverse rate with the direction of movement dependent upon the direction of rotation of the rapid traverse motor 4i]. Since the differential carrier 69 is keyed to the shaft 59, the gears 61 and Ill will be driven at the same speed when the shaft 59 is stationary and consequently, the table 35 will be driven at a rapid traverse rate substantially higher than the feed rate transmitted via the speed driving shaft 59. Should the rapid traverse motor 40 and the feed motor ll be energized simultaneously, the differential carrier will rotate at a speed identical to that of the shaft 5Q but the table 35 will be driven at rapid traverse rate because the power supplied from the rapid traverse motor 40 will also be transmitted through the spider gear 68 to the gear E9. With this arrangement of worm and worm wheel drives to two elements of the difierential, when one or the other of the motor 46 or M is energized, a back drive will not result to the other motor which is then inoperative. The energization of the rapid traverse motor 49, together with its direction of rotation, is likewise dependent upon the automatic or manual manipulation of the feed control unit 52 in a manher to be more fully described hereinafter.

A safety feature incorporated in the machine relates to an overload protective device 82 operative with the aforedescribed table drive mechanism. As previously mentioned, the worm H is slidably splined upon the splined portion 18 of the shaft 13, as shown in Fig. 3. The worm 1'! is centrally retained in position in relation to the worm wheel 19 by a pair of coil springs 83 and 84 and retaining washers 85 and 86 (see Figs. 3 and '7). One end of the spring 83 abuts against a collar 81 formed on the left end of the shaft 13 while the other end abuts against the washer 85 disposed adjacent to the left end of the worm 11. The spring 84 abuts against the side of the gear 12 and against the washer 86 which is disposed against the right side of the worm Tl. Since the springs 83 and 84 are evenly balanced, the worm T! will be retained in a central position during normal operating conditions. Shoulders on the splined portion 18 of the shaft 13 prevent the worm T! from being shifted out of this central position except upon the occurrence of an overload. When an overloaded condition occurs in the driving train due to an excessive load being placed on the driving mechanism, additional force will be exerted upon This will cause the worm to be axially displaced on the splined portion 18 of the shaft 73 against the pressure of either spring 83 or 84 depending upon the direction and amount of the force. Thus, the two springs 83 and 84 serve to act as a cushion in absorbing excessive thrust loads placed upon the worm H in the machine tool drive train. Such loads are absorbed by the springs and are dissipated in this manner in order to prevent any damage to the gears in the transmission. As shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 7, such an axial displacement beyond predetermined limits will cause either one or the other of the washer 35 or B8 to be brought into contact with feeler forks 88 or 89, respectively. Both of the forks are pinned on a shifter rod 89 slidably retained in the saddle 34, and are slidably supported on a guide bar 9|.

Movement of the worm 71 axially beyond predetermined limits serves to impart a corresponding axial movement to the rod 90. The rod 90 is resiliently cushioned at each end by springs 92 and 93, which normally tend to retain the rod in the central position shown in Fig. 7. However, when the rod is axially displaced, an actuating cam shoe 94 pinned to the rod is likewise moved a sufficient distance to operate one or the other of two micro switches 95 and 96. Thus, when the Worm 11 moves axially to the right, the washer 86 will engage the feeler fork 89, which, in turn, will effect a rightwardly axial movement of the shifter rod 90 to actuate switch 95 and interrupt the motor circuit. For example, if the worm I1 is caused to move leftwardly under pressure, the washer 85 will en gage the feeler fork 88 and will cause the rod 90 to move leftwardly until the plunger on the switch 90 is actuated. Thus, rightwardly or leftwardly, movement of the cam shoe 04 serves to operate one or the other of the two normally closed micro switches 95 and 06, and to interrupt the circuit to the rapid traverse or feed drive motors 40 and AI in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described. Such a circuit interruption will immediately interrupt the power drive to the table 35 until the overloaded condition is eliminated.

The entire control of the machine is centered in the aforementioned electric control unit 42 centrally disposed on the front of the saddle 34, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. All the driving motors for the machine may be co-ordinately energized, or individually energized, by the manipulation of the control handle 43 extending from the unit 42, or an automatic cycle of operation may be set up by means of a series of trip dogs adjustably positioned on the front of the table 35, as shown in Fig. 4. These dogs actuate one of several operating arms or buttons extending from the rear of the electric control unit 42. The control unit 42 consists of three members, namely: a base frame member IOI, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, an intermediate frame I02, and a top cover I03 fastened together. The

base member I 0| completely encloses five micro switches I04, H15, I06, I01 and I08. They are supported on a pair of rods I09 and H0 secured in the frame ml. The actuating mechanism for the control unit 42 is contained within the intermediate frame I02.

The actuating handle 43 is carried on the end of a rod II2 universally mounted for pivotal and axial movement in a slide block H3, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. A ball II 0 integrally formed on the rod H2 is seated in a socket II5 formed in the block H3. As clearly shown in Fig. 10, this mounting allows the control handle 03 to be moved in a vertical plane. Thus, the manipulation of the control handle 43 will serve to impart movement to the inner end of the rod H2, which is socketed in the top of a plunger piston IIB. The piston H8 is slidably mounted in a cylinder II9 integrally formed in the intermediate frame member I02. When the control handle 43 is raised upwardly, the piston H8 is forced downwardly in the cylinder I19 until the lower end thereof engages an actuating bellows or pneumatic coupling I20 disposed in the frame I02 with its lower end abutting against an actuating knob I2I on the top side of the micro switch I00. When the bellows I20 is actuated, a set of contacts within the switch is closed to complete a circuit to the rapid traverse motor 40 and effect a power drive at rapid traverse rate to the movable machine member.

With the handle 43 and rod II2 positioned as shown in Fig. 10, the piston I I0 is retained in an upper position in which the bellows I20 is not engaged. When thus positioned, a second set of contacts (not shown) within the switch I06 is closed to complete a circuit to the feed drive motor 4| and effect a power driveto the table 35 at feed rate. A spring actuated detent mechanism I22, mounted in the intermediate frame I02, serves to operate on a pair of cavities I23 machined in the side of the piston I It in a manner to retain the piston I I 8 in either the upper feed drive or lower rapid traverse drive position.

The direction of table movement is manually controlled by moving the control lever 43 to the right or left in a horizontal plane, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8. Thus, when the control handle 43 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 8, the table 35 will move leftwardly, whereas, if the handle 43 is moved to the position indicated by the dotted circle I24, the table will be power driven in a rightwardly direction. Such movement of the control handle serves to rotate a swivel block I21. The block I21 is rotatably mounted in the intermediate frame I02, and the upper portion thereof, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, is designed to retain the sliding block II3 for slidable axial movement. A toggle plate I28 is attached to the lower end of the swivel block 121 in a manner that rotation thereof serves to efiectively rotate the plate I28 clockwise or counter-clockwise from a neutral position (see Figs. 10, 11 and 12).

When the control handle 03 has been selectively positioned for leftwardly movement of the table 35, as shown in Fig. 8, the swivel block I21 and plate I28 will be rotated in a clockwise direction. Such rotation of the plate I28 serves to impart an axial movement to a pilot rod I29 in a leftwardly direction, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. This movement of the pilot rod I29 will cause a reduced portion I30 on the rod I29 to release an actuating bellows I3I associated with the direction micro switch I 01. Since the switch I01 is of the normally closed type, the contacts therein will remain closed to effect movement of the table in one direction at feed or rapid traverse rates. A detent mechanism I32 automatically operative in notches i33 serves to retain the toggle plate I28 in the selected position. However, when the control handle 43 is manually shifted to the dotted position I22 (see Fig. 8) the block I21 and toggle plate I28 will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 12 to bring the enlarged portion of the pilot rod :20 into engagement with the actuating bellows IBI. When the bellows I3I is depressed to actuate the direction micro switch I01, a control circuit will be broken to efiect energization of the rapid traverse or feed motor or 0| in the reverse direction. The manner in which reversal of the motors is electrically effected will be hereinafter more fully described.

The feed or rapid traverse switch I00, or the direction switch I01, in the electric control unit 02 may also be automatically operated from a series of trip dogs I31, I38, I39 and I40 predeterminately positioned in the T-slots 22 on the machine tool table 35, as detailedly shown in Fig. 4. Trip dogs I31 and I00 serve as limit stops to halt table movement in a given direction at a prescribed point of travel, while trip dog I30 effects reversal in the direction of travel and 9 trip dog I39 effects a change in the rate of table travel at another prescribed point of travel. By varying the settings of the trip dogs, any number of cycles of operation can be initiated for table operation.

The automatic mechanism is interconnected with the abovedescribed manually operated control mechanism within the control unit 42 to constitute a single compact member. The reversing and rate setting trip dogs I38 and I39 are each disposed to impart rotative or axial movement to one of two pilot rods, namely: the pilot rod I29 or a pilot rod I42. The rod I42 is mounted in the frame I02 parallel to the rod I29 and is mechanically connected to the toggle plate I28 by means of a pin I43 (see Figs. 11 and 12) for axial movement opposite to that of rod I29. Thus, when a cam arm I44 attached to the end of the rod I29 is forced inwardly through engagement with a trip dog, the corresponding movement of the plate I28 will force the rod I42 outwardly to position a cam arm I45 on the extending end thereof for engagement with a trip dog at some subsequent portion of the operating cycle.

Automatic cyclic operation of the feed or rapid traverse rate switch I06 is effected through engagement of the trip dogs with the cam arms I44 and I45, respectively, as shown in Fig. 4. Such engagement serves to impart a rotative movement to each of the trip rods without disturbing the axial position of the rods in the frame I 02. A gear segment member I46 is pinned on the pilot rod I29 while a similar gear segment M! is pinned on the pilot rod I42, as generally shown in Figs. 8, 9, 12 and 13. The gear segment I 46 meshes with a rack I48 machined on one side of the plunger piston II8 while the gear segment I41 is disposed to mesh with a rack I49 formed on the opposite side of the piston H8 (see Figs. 9, 10 and 12). Meshing engagement is maintained regardless of the axial adjustment of the pilot rods I29 and I42. The rotation of either of the pilot rods I29 or I42 imparts a controlled upwardly or downwardly movement to the piston II8 to operate the rate switch I06 in the manner aforedescribed. Thus, the table 35 may be automatically operated in a predetermined cycle at feed rate or at rapid traverse rate from the trip dogs. It should be noted that the engagement of a trip dog with a cam arm on the end of one of the pilot rods immediately actuates the other pilot rod to bring its cam arm into position so that it may be engaged by a trip dog at some subsequent part of the operating cycle.

The limits of table travel are automatically controlled in either direction by operating either of the microswitches I04 or Ids. As shown in Fig. 4, the trip dog I37, when predeterminately positioned, controls the extreme rightwardly movement of the table 35 when it engages the actuating button ldfi extending from the rear side of the electric control box 42 (see Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 12), while the actuating button IEI controls the extreme leftwardly movement of the table for a given operating cycle when it is engaged by the trip dog Md. The two dogs I31 and I40 and their respective buttons I50 and Il are disposed in different operating planes in order to eliminate the possibility of an accidental engagement between opposite pairs of dogs and buttons. The button IEI, as shown in Fig. 14, is attached to a rod l52 having a cam surface I53 formed at its inner end. A spring I54 resiliently retains the rod assembly in its outer axial limits of movement. The cam surface I53 engages an actuating bellows I56 mounted in the frame I02 to engage the limit stop switch I08. Since the switch I08 is or" the normally closed type, any engagement of the dog I40 with the button I5I serves to operate the switch to open the contacts therein, interrupt the current flow to the drive motors, and halt further leftwardly power movement of the table 35 at either feed or rapid traverse rate. The other ctuating button I50 is likewise mechanically linked to actuate the switch I04 and thereby limit rightward movement of the table 35.

Both the feed motor M and the rapid traverse motor 40 may be electrically braked to standstill by the machine operator. This may be accomplished by manipulating the control handle 43 in an axial direction. As previously explained, the control handle rod H2 is universally mounted in the slide block II3 which, in turn, is slidably mounted in the swivel block I2l. The path of movement of the block H3 corresponds generally to the axis of the rod II2 so that the operator need only impart inward force to the handle 43 in order to cause the slide block II3 to move inwardly, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10. Such inward movement of the rod and block does not disturb the setting of the handle 43 otherwise. Thus, it may remain positioned for selective directional or rate movement of the table member 35 with such a manipulation of the handle 43 merely serving to instantly apply a braking action to the table drive mechanism as long as the handle 43 is held in the braking position.

A detent notch I58 in the bottom of the slide blocl: II3 normally is disposed to receive a detent plunger 550 centrally disposed for axial movement in the downwardly extending portion of the swivel block I21. The lower end of the plunger 50 abuts against the head end of a contact pin I50 embeddedly retained in a flapper plate I5 I. The plate IiiI is hingedly mounted in position within the electric control unit 42 on a hinge pin it?! mounted in the intermediate frame member I02. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the plate ISI is resiliently retained, via a spring I83, in a normal upper position, whereby the plunger IE9 is forced into the detent notch I58. But when the control handle 43 is pushed inwardly, the plunger I50 is forced downwardly out of the detent notch I 58. This downward movement, against the pressure of the spring I83, causes the flapper plate IEI to be tilted downwardly so that it compresses a bellows I04 and actuates the normally closed all-stop switch I05. The actuation of this switch serves to interrupt the electrical control circuit to both drive motors 40 and 4| and to electrically plug such motors to standstill. As soon as the pressure on the handle 43 is released the spring I63 will force the mechanism to return to its normal position wherein the contacts in the all-stop switch I05 are again closed. Thus, the motor control circuits will again be established for normal cyclic operation, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Each of the aforedescribed switches is connected directly into the electric control circuit. Each switch serves to perform a given task in the said circuit, as will be fully described. By means of the arrangement of switches in the circuit, it is possible to predeterminately set up an operating cycle for automatic or manual control. The entire control unit is concentrated on the front of the saddle 34 where it is readily accessible for actuation manually by means or" the control is, orautdmatieauy by means of tile selectively positioried trip dogs mounted on the front side oftli'ejtable as, y

L [is shown in Fe. 15, the electrical circuit is desienecl to co-oriiinajte the automatic or manual control of the rapid traverse and feed motorsilil and 4L from the electrical control unit 42, as indicated bythe dotte'd, p ge containing the five micro'switcheslllt, W5, I06, I01 and 108. Power restrained from feed line's I68 through a master dise'onnect switch 59. The control and feed circuits are combined for direct control of current flow without a multiplicity of auxiliary circuits. The closure of the switch I59 permits current passage to mam lines no, In and n2. Automatic closure of three control relay switches H5, II'Efan'd [11 occurs when the lines are energized. I'n the ic'isebf the stop relay 5, the current time fram heline n2 throughan actuating coil I18 to a line I19 connecting with one terminal or thengrmally closed limit switch W4. The current t en new through t e switch, a line we, and the normally closed overload switch '95 to 'a common rfetu n line 181 conrie'ctingwith the main line I'H tQ'eiTec't closure of therelay switches H5. The other stop control relay I16 likewise act ate'd to close whenthe i'r'i'aln switch 1 6% is closed. The circ'111it originates from the mainline H2 j'oi d with a solenoid actuating coil {82 in the relay l l'fi. line 183 connecting with the coil connects th the normally closed limit switch IOB in'the ontrol unit' il which, inturn, is connectet'l witha line 1'84 c -inneaed to the normally closed overloa'd switch $5. The circuit is completed'frornswitch Sii via'the common return line l'tfllito'the'main'line m. I My 7 The closure of 'the two stop control relays l' l'5fa'n'd 176 "permits anpinsta'ntaneons current flow 'fro'inthe main lines 1'71 and H2 to the forward-reverse control relay 'I'll. When the relay I is'a'ctuated'to a'closedpositionby the ener- 'g'izatio n ofth'e solenoid'coil we, a pair of contacts I and 18B therein areclosedto connect the nlaill'll'riesjn'l an'd ,'l2with lines [89 and W0, tively. The line 589 connects'with anonlatel'lll while the'line l'9il' connect's'with a p'ntaetplatefl'9'2 "in the rcsrwarc 'rev'erse relay m. fwhenthie'contactplates 19: and 1'92 are clhsed they contror reverse energization of the rat eatrss and feed meters 40 email. With the stop contra-1 re ay 1 it closed by'energiza' non-qr the smenpic 182, the main lines 11 a and I12 areecnnecj ec through a'pair of conductors fSS'aiid 1| fifwhi'ch'are connected totermi'nals elssociatedfwithcontaictplates I91 and I9S, rescecuveiynn the forWard' reVerSe"control relay 111, closurejtr the Contact plates lei and [9'8fi'n the relay HT effect fforwa'rd' energization of the rapid traverse "andreefd motors'flq and 4'! [He"rcrtvar :reverse control relay I11 isse- Iecti ely operated to efi ec'tively energize the drive V H f forward or reverseoutput torqiie jn'oir rnie ail, n switch m in tlleele'ctrfial cb trol'llfii't 42 Eln'the from of thefsadd'le 3A. However current iscontinuously supplied to fillet-Switch: 'roi'as 'Sooh as the: master switch l 69 is close current is inneewncwr omftne hairline Hz was actuatingjs'ol'en'oid as; "discse'd' 11c; mhanica11 cperate' theswitch n 1 to one of two positions. v From thefsolehoid 'Z'UBthe circuiteziten'ds' throug'hthe"conductor 264 to the directionswitchT01, If thes'witch f0! hasbeen manipulated 't'o"a"cflose'd "position the 'circ'uitis t ms-predth'rougha line 205 and common return lifieflll tothe'mai'n line I'H toeneig izethe solewill be raised to a closed position and permit energization of either of the motors 4B or M for:

forward movement of the work table 35. However, when the directional switch H3! is opened the circuit for energizing the solenoid 263 is brokenand the forward-reverse control relay I11 willdrop to a position, wherein the contact plates [9? and H38 are opened to break the supply lines to the motors ii) and BI for forward energization while the contact plates l9! and 152 are closed to complete a circuit for reverse energ'iz'atio'n of the motors G0 and M. With this setup, the control relay ii! is retained in one or the other position at all times. While the closure of the main switch I69 does not actually start either of the motors, it servesto energize the circuits to permit automatic or manual operation of the electrical control unit 42.

The feed motor is controlled by a feed motor control relay 208. The operator starts the motor 4| initially by manipulating a starting lever 209 swivelably mounted on the top of the column 3i, as "shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in a well lmown manner. The movement of the lever 289 to an operating position effects a closure of a starting switch 240 (see Fig 15). When this switch is closed, the electrical current will iiow from the main line i'i'fi, through a normall closed all-stop switch I55 in the unit 11 2, a line 211, a line 2 12 and the closed switch 2 H! to a line 1% connecting with the feed motor "4 and with an actuating solenoid coil 2'il the feed "motor relay 208. The solenoid '2 H3 is also connected to -a conductor 255 which serves to 'form a circuit with a terminal associated with a contact plate are in the double pole rate switch 1 0% mounted in the control unit s2. when the control'urii t M is manually or automatically manipulated to require a feed rate movement of the machine table $5, the contact plate 2% in 'the switch I86 is closed to complete the "circuit through a line 217 and the line I81 to the main line ill When the circuit is completed, the feed motor solenoid relay 2"! is energized to close the control relay 2 08 andpr'o-vide lin'e current to the feed motor el. 'Thu'sjii the direction control relay 11 1 is positioned for forward energization of the motor, 'the plates m! and 19B therein will be dis posed to complete a circuit to lines 220 and 2'24, respectively. The lin'es i'fl and 22! serve-as-ccnductors to the feed motor control relay 2G8, 'which,'when actuated to a closedposition, establishes 'acircuit through a pairof contact plates 2-22 ahd 223 to lines 22 5 and "225, respectively. 'I hus,'-'th'e motor l is-connected to the power lines I'Hl, HI and H2 and, consequently, it willoper'ate to effect a i forward movement of the table 335. The rnotor M will continue to operate until the starting lever 2 69 is manually operated to open the-switch 2H), or until the all-stop switch 1'65 inthe control unit "42 is opened by the inward manipulation of the con-trolhandle 43, whereby the circuit from themain line i lll'to-the'motor M and to'theff eed motor 'solehoid fli is broken and'th'e relay-2B8 iso'pe'necl'to de-energized-fe'eii motor lines 2 24' and 2 25.

The cyclic automatic or manual manipulation of the rate switch I 66 may also serve to'bre'ak th'e circuiteto thesolenoid 2H3 in the feecl'motor relay 208. Thus, when-"the trip dogs on the table $5 actuateth'e control unit to'open the contact plate H6, or the control handle 43 is manipulatedby themach-ine operator to-effectsuchcontact plate movement, the solenoid'circuit is broken an'dthe feed motor control relay 208 will drop to an open position, wherein the current supply to feed motor lines 22:; and 225 is interrupted and the motor will stop. However, when the circuit is broken in this manner, it may be automatically or manually re-established to restart the feed motor 4 I.

The feed motor "ll may be reversed through the automatic or manual operation of the direction switch Hi7, as previously described. When the circuit for the forward-reverse control relay solenoid 203 is broken, the relay I77 operates to open the forward contacts I97 and I98 and momentarily interrupt line current flow to the feed motor relay 208 and feed motor 4! and, thereafter, to close the "reverse contacts I 91 and I92 to permit line current flow from the relay I75 and the lines I89 and I90 through contact plates I9! and I92 to a pair of conductors 226 and 227, respectively. Since conductor 226 joins with line 22! and conductor 227 joins with line 220, it will be apparent that the line terminals have been reversed and, consequently, when the feed motor circuit is again established, the direction of rotation of the feed motor M will have been reversed and the table 35 will be driven at feed rate in the opposite direction.

ihe rapid traverse motor 40 is dependent for energization upon the closure of the main switch I69 and the positioning of the rate switch I06. When the main switch I69 is initially closed, the main switch supplies current via the main line E76, the switch I65, the line 2H, and a line 239 connecting with the motor 40 and an actuating solenoid coil 23! in a rapid traverse relay switch 232. The line 230 to the motor 40 is constantly energized as long as the main switch I69 remains closed, except during such times when the allstop switch I65 may be depressed to halt the operating cycle and stop all power movement of the table 35.

When the solenoid 23I in the relay 232 is energized, the relay is actuated to a closed position. The circuit from the solenoid 23I is completed via a line 233 connecting with a second set of contact posts in the rate switch I06. Whenever the rate switch I06 is actuated to effect rapid traverse movement of the table 35, the contact plate 215 therein is positioned to complete the rapid traverse solenoid circuit from the line 233 through common return lines 205 and I8! connecting with the main line I! i. As previously described, the detent mechanism I22 operative on the actuating mechanism for the rate switch I06 serves to retain the switch in the feed position or the rapid traverse position, unless it is manually operated by the operator from the control handle 43 or automatically operated by the trip dogs to effect a rate change.

An electro-mechanical overload mechanism, previously referred to and shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7, serves to actuate one of two overload switches 95 and 96 incorporated in the electrical circuit. Depending upon the direction of rotation of the table drive screw 36 when the overioad occurs, the shifter rod 90 is actuated to open one of the normally closed overload switches 95 or $6. If the switch 95 is opened, the solenoid energizing circuit between lines I80 and i8! is broken and the stop control relay I75 will open up to break the motor feed lines and halt further reverse rotation of the feed or rapid traverse motors, depending upon which one is energized when the overload occurs. Likewise, when the switch Elli is opened upon the occurrence of an overload, the circuit from line I84 to line I8I is interrupted and the solenoid I82 will be de-energized to allow the control relay 76 to open. When this happens, the feed lines Ill and I72 through the relay I76 are broken and further forward rotation of one of the motors will be halted. Since the master switch I69 remains closed, the circuits will be reestablished as soon as the cause of the overload is removed.

In order to permit the machine operator to eifect an overtravel beyond the selected limits of the operating cycle, an overriding switch 236 is introduced into the circuit, whereby the operator may energize one of the motors for short intervals after the trip dogs have opened one of the limit switches M4 or 508 and halted further mov ment of the table in a given direction. Normally, when the limit switch I04 is opened, the solenoid circuit from the solenoid H8 in the control relay 755 is broken and further leftward movement of the table 35 is stopped. However, if the operator wishes to effect further leftward movement, he would merely depress the overriding switch 236, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 15, to temporarily reestablish the circuit. Thus, a solenoid circuit would then be established from the solenoid 578 through the line I79, a line 231, a contact plate 238 in the switch 236, and a line 239 which connects with the line I89; the circuit is completed, as before, from the line I through the overload switch and the line I8I to the feed line iii. The energization of the solenoid its serves to actuate the relay I75 to a closed position and energize one of the drive motors All or ii until the operator no longer depresses the switch 236 and permits it to resiliently reopen to break the solenoid circuit.

During rightwardly movement of the table 3", the extreme limit of movement is preselected and occurs when the limit switch I68 is opened by a trip dog, as heretofore described in detail. If it is necessary to have additional travel beyond such a selected point, the operator may again depress the overtravel switch 236. Thus, the circuit for the solenoid I82 will be reestablished via the line 233, a line 248, a contact plate 24! in the switch 235 and a line 242 joining with the line I82 which, in turn, connects with the main line ill through the overload switch 96 and the line iBl. Such additional rightward travel of the table will continue as long as the overtravel switch 23% remains closed. As a safety feature, the overtravel switch closure is efiected against the pressure of a spring 2 33 so that it will reopen instantly when released to break the solenoid circuit.

For precision machine tool operation, it is necessary that the driving force imparted to a movable machine element, such as the work retaining table 35, be accurately controlled and that all movement at a selected rate of travel be stopped at a desired instant. This is accomplished in the prose t disclosure by means of electrical plugging of the motors 49 and ll. Direct current for this purpose is supplied by a rectifier which is connected to the main lines 57! and 72 by means of lines 246 and 247, respectively. The direct current is conducted by lines 249 and 249 to a pair of contact plates 256 and 225i in the rapid traverse motor control relay 232. Whenever the relay is opened, the plates 259 and 25l close to permit direct current passage from lines 22:3 and 2-29 to lines 252 and 253, respectively, and on to the rapid traverse motor til to plug the same to standstill. Such plugging occurs on each occasion when the motor relay 232 T is opened by opening the all-stop switch M5, or by shifting the control mechanism from a rapid traverse rate demand to a feed rate demand.

Likewise, the feed rate" motor lfl'iis protected in the same manner. The direct current is con tinuously fed from the rectifier 25-5 via lines: 2 38- and 2 39 and lines 254 and 255 to contactplates 256 and 251, respectively, in the feed motor control relay 208. Whenever the solenoid 21 4 therein is deenergized, the relay 2 03' opens to break the feed circuit to the feed motor M and closes the contacts 25$ and 251 to feed the direct-current from contacts 256 and 25-? to motor lines 2% and 225, respectively, connecting with feed motor 4!. Thus, the motor i! is braked to stand still whenever the control relay 288 is opened through the actuation of the all-stop switch Hi5 to an openposition, or by the operation of the rate switch 96 from a feed rate to a rapid traverse rate position.

The above described braking control for the rapidtraverse and feed motors Mi and 4'! is operative only when the respective motor control relays 298 and 232m these motors are opened. However, in order to insure precise controlof the movement of the table at its extreme limits of travel, the electrical brake control is also used to halt table movement precisely at a preselected limiter travel. The motor control relays 238 and 232 are not opened to break the feed' circuit to the motors at this time, but, as aforedescribed, the stop control'relays I and ill are opened instead to'effect this control. Thus,for example, if the control' relay I'lfi is'closedand the directioncontrol relay I1! is positioned for forward energization, as shown in Fig. 15, either the rapiditraverse motort0 or feed motorll will be energized: to effect forward rotation of: the motor and drive mechanism. Since the diagram shows the rapid traverse controlrelayclosedthe rapid traverse motor 40: is. energized to drive theta-ble at rapidtraverse rate. When atrip dog adjust- .ably mounted on thetable 35 actuates'the limit .switch I68 at some point of traveL the solenoid .circuit for the control relay I16 will be broken and the relay'will open tobreak the'feed' circuit to the rapid traverse motor 36 Astherelay llfi opens, it closes a brake circuit from the directcurrent lines Z lBand 249and'lines 280 and 261,

through closed brakeconta'ct' plates 2'62 and 2 63* and lines 266' and 265 connecting with the motor feed lines l95and 196'. With the feed circuit for the motor broken by the open plates i93'and I9 3 in the open control relay H6, the direct current will be fed through the closed direction control" relay I77 and closed'rapid traverse control relay 232 to brake the rapid traverse motor it tostandstill. In this manner, table movement to the right at rapid traverse rate would be halted almost instantly at the selected point of travel. If instead, the operating cycle had been set for rightward table movement at feed rate, the direct current would have been directed to-the feed motor 41 in the same manner to brake the feedmotor to standstill.

Assuming an operating cycle'wherein the direction control relay- I'll was opened to permit a feed-circuit through"reverse contacts ifil an'd island the feed-motor control relayfi lfifi'was energized, the feedmotor 4i would be energizedto rotate in a reverse direction and chest leftwardlyg-movement of thetable- 35. If atsome se= lected point in the operating cycle a tripi'olog .on

the-r'table 35Iactuates thelimit switchi04= in the control' unit 142,-: theisolenoidxcircuit for :the con it trol relay We will be interrupted andthe relay will opento breakthe feed circuit to the feed motor li. Instantly upon the opening of the relay H5, a set of brake circuit contact plates 26'? and 268 will be closed to permit the direct current to flow from lines 248 and 269 via lines 26-9 and- 2'5'6 through the closed contacts 2%? and 2468 to lines 211 and 2'52 connecting with feed linesand IE9, respectively. Since the feed line circuit isbroken by the opening of the control relay N5, the brake circuit will be supplied to the feed motor ti through the direction control relay H1 and the closed'feed motor control relay 268'. The feed motor willbe braked to standstill and immediately halt leftwardly movement of the table 35' at feed rate. It should be remembered that if theopera'ting cycle had been set up for leftw'ardly movement of the table at rapid traverse rate, the

limit control, as aforedescribed, would have oper-' ated inthe same manner to brake the rapid traverse motor at to standstill and halt leftwardly movement of the table.

From the foregoing description of the electricalpeatedly at a variety of feed and rapid traverse rates without any deviation whatsoever. In this manner, the limits of machine tool element movement can be precisely set and considerable reductions in the length of the operating cycle will result.

A modified version of the invention is sche:

matically shown in Fig. 16. Inthis case, separate motors are again used for the rapid traverse andfeed drives of a movable machine tool member. An electric control system which is manually operable by the machine operator or automatically operable through engagement with a series of trip dogs carried on the movable member, readily permits a greater versatility in machine tool control than has heretofore been possible in the conventional type machine. In the particular instance, the invention is shown incorporated in a knee type milling machine, wherein the table 35 is-mounted for longitudinal movement on a saddle 36, which, in turn, is slidably mounted for transverse movement on the knee 32. While the power drive is shown to drive the table 35; it would be possible to operate any machine tool member, or plurality of members, in a similar manner.

The power driven mechanism for themovable machine tool element is a self-contained unit carried in the movable knee 32' of the milling The feed motor 288 is disposed to drive a pair 7 of pick-off gears 286 and 281, constituting a pick-oft gear transmission conveniently contained in the front of theknee 32' for ready accessability. A plurality of feed rates for the table 35 is provided by interchanging the pick-ofi 

